Lord Oltterman wasn't really in the mood for the High Chairman Valio to call him, but that didn't stop his second cousin from doing it. Life on Plutark was getting hectic to say the least, resources were almost empty, and even the aristocrats had to steal for living. Oltterman hated it; once Plutark had been one one the richest planets in the cosmos, and now it was nothing more than a planet full of thiefs. The royal families too had started to fall, Limburger went first and his own was close to become the next. Oltterman was woken from his trance by Valio's roar.
"Oltterman! You have better figure out a way for us to survive, or you and your perverted doctor can say goodbye to your positions!" the old fish howled, hanging up on Oltterman. The captain of the ship sighed. There wasn't really much hope left if Mange of all people was the only one to save Plutark.
Benjamin on the other hand was busy scrubbing Mange's surgical tools. He had always washed the dishes at home, but this was a bit different. One scalpel looked like it was growing blood stains, and there was one very moldy needle.
"Karbunkle, stop staring at them and wash them, will you?" Mange hissed. Benjamin nodded and started scrubbing vigorously. The insect smiled and continued to work on something that looked like a gold colored cannon from a science fiction movie. Though it was only logical to Benjamin, he now WAS in a science fiction movie. It had been a full week now from the day he was 'beamed' to this ship, and it seemed like nothing could ever again surprise him. Instead, he strangely felt curious about everything. Back home, he had been studying how his reading lamp worked, now Mange had promised that he would get to do real research. Benjamin's feelings towards the promise were mixed, Mange seemed to be the type to keep its promises, but then again...
The silence of the laboratory was broken when Oltterman arrived, looking huffy and about to explode by the looks of things. Mange looked up lazily from the cannon when his overlord stormed beside him.
"Stop looking at me like that if you value your life, Mange, I've got a job for you and your little assistant", Oltterman growled and Mange stood up, but his expression didn't change. He nibbled his pink hair while listening to Lord Oltterman's request. Karbunkle, who had snaked behind him, made a whimper when it heard Oltterman's request.
"Sir, shouldn't we just find or conquer another planet instead of wasting valuable gold in hopes of maybe finding a way to preserve Plutark? The planet is done for!" Mange protested, Oltterman shook his head.
"Belive me, I don't like this either, but Valio's words are orders", the fish said grimly. Mange bowed slightly and walked towards his worktable, kicking Karbunkle in the knee while doing it.